Does caesarean section negatively influence the post-partum prognosis of low back pain and pelvic pain during pregnancy?

Low back and pelvic pain (LBPP) is prevalent during pregnancy and also post-partum. The aetiology is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between epidural or spinal anaesthesia and caesarean section (CS) with persistent LBPP half a year after pregnancy. In a previous questionnaire study (n=891) altogether 639 (72%) women had reported LBPP during pregnancy. We sent these respondents a second questionnaire at approximately 6 months post-delivery. The response rate was 72.6% (n=464). The respondents were divided into three groups reporting 'no pain', 'recurrent pain' and 'continuous pain' in relation to LBPP 6 months after delivery. Pearson's chi-square test was used to test the difference between groups and logistic regression analysis was performed. Forty percent of the respondents had received epidural anaesthesia (EDA) or spinal anaesthesia during delivery and 18.5% of women had been delivered by CS. Epidural or spinal anaesthesia was not associated with persistent LBPP. There was no significant difference in CS rates between different sub-groups. The risk of persistent LBPP was increased three- to fourfold in women delivered by elective CS compared with women delivered by emergency CS. Epidural or spinal anaesthesia was not associated with risk of persistent LBPP. Elective CS was associated with an increased risk of persistent LBPP. However, the results must be interpreted with caution because of a relatively small study sample.